Body-engaging extensible exercising device

ABSTRACT

A device which is used for stretching various muscles of the anatomy including, a handle having two spaced rollers which are placed on the inside areas of the legs of the user and pulled toward the abdomen forcing the legs farther and farther apart thus stretching the muscles associated therewith. The distance the legs are forced apart can be regulated by the adjustable telescoping extensions on which the rollers are mounted. The telescoping extensions are adjustably fixed in position by means of a spring detent locking mechanism.

C United States Patent [151 3,638,939 Langley 1 Feb. 1, 1972 [54] BODY-ENGAGING EXTENSIBLE 3,343,837 9/1967 Grzybowski ..272/83 R EXERCISING DEVICE 3 3,544,106 12/1970 Barrett ....222/83 R [72] Inventor: Charles Langley, 6649 Tower Drive, primary Examiner pichard pi h AleXal'ldl'la, 22306 Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Sept. 5, Att0rney-Bacon & Thomas [21] Appl. No.: 72,403 [57] ABSTRACT A device which is used for stretching various muscles of the [52] US. Cl ..272/79 R, 272/DIG. 4 n my inclu ing. a h n l having two spaced rollers which 5 1 1 Int. Cl ..A63b 23/04, A63b 23/02 are Placed on the inside areas of the legs of the user and pulled 53] Fi ld f S h 272/79 R, 57 R, g2 33 R, DIG- 4; toward the abdomen forcing the legs farther and farther apart 128/57 thus stretching the muscles associated therewith. The distance the legs are forced apart can be regulated by the adjustable 56] References Cited telescoping extensions on which the rollers are mounted. The telescoping extensions are adjustably fixed in position by UNITED STATES PATENTS means of a spring detent locking mechanism.

2,106,994 2/1938 Chapman ..272/83 R 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BODY-ENGAGING EXTENSIBLE EXERCISING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to an exercising device and more particularly to a new method for stretching, toning and shaping the muscles of the abdomen, legs, arms, shoulders and triceps.

There has long been a need for a simplified device for stretching the muscles of the abdomen, legs, etc.

Devices designed for this purpose are generally complicated in structure and have include a cumbersome arrangement of parts.

Therefore, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an exercising device for stretching, toning and shaping the muscles of the abdomen, legs, arms, shoulders and various other muscles associated therewith.

It is another object to provide an exercising device which may be operated and controlled by the user alone so that no more strain is imposed than can comfortably be borne.

Still another object is to produce a simple, light weight structure which can be easily manufactured and can be carried from place to place if desired.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the specification when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS one method of use for the exercising device.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings, the exercising device comprises a center section or main tube 12 having a hand grip 14 of plastic or other suitable material rotatably mounted on the intermediate portion thereof by rings 15. The rings 15 are secured to the main tube 12 by soldering, welding or any other means and prevent the hand grip 14 from shifting axially. At opposite ends of the center section 12 are slidable tubular telescoping elements 16 and 18. The above elements may consist of tubes of any configuration in cross section which may be slidably received within one another. At the outer ends of elements 16 and 18 there are secured brackets or yokes 20 and 24 respectively, as by welding. The yoke 20 supports a roller 22 and the yoke 24 supports a roller 26. Each roller may be of sponge rubber or some soft and pliable material. The roller 22 and 26 have a central sleeve or bushing 28 through which passes a shaft or axle 30 upon which they may freely rotate. The rollers are assembled to the yokes as by upsetting the ends of the shafts in suitable openings in the ears of the yokes or brackets.

Each telescoping element 16 and 18 carries a latch member 32 secured adjacent the outward end thereof as by spotwelding. The latch consists of a leaf spring 34 and an upwardly projecting pin 36 as best seen in FIG. 4. The tubular elements 16 and 18 each have an aperture 35 in the wall through which the pin 36 projects.

The center section or main tube 12 has a series of apertures 38 in the wall thereof which receive the pin 36 and lock the telescoping elements in position when it is desired to adjust the length of the exercising device. When it becomes necessary to either lengthen or shorten the device the pin 36 is depressed until it clears the aperture 38 in section 12 in which it is positioned.

FIG. 5 shows the present exercising device in use. The rollers are placed between the legs of the person preferably in a sitting position. The center section 15 then grasped at the hand any desired distance which can be regulated by the user.

The specific embodiment described hereinabove is presented as being illustrative only. It will be understood that numerous changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the annexed claims.

Iclaim:

1. An exercising device comprising a pair of resilient freely rotatable body contacting elements, an intermediate member positioned between and interconnecting said contacting elements, a hand grip member freely rotatable on and around said intermediate member opposed adjustable extensions telescoping within said intermediate member, said extensions having latch means for positioning said extensions in predetermined selected positions relative to the intermediate member during an exercise program, and one of said body contacting elements being positioned on each extension.

2. The exercising device of claim 1 wherein the body contacting elements are rollers, said rollers being carried by yokes at the extremities of said extensions.

3. The exercising device of claim 2 wherein said rollers are of soft yieldable material. 

1. An exercising device comprising a pair of resilient freely rotatable body contacting elements, an intermediate member positioned between and interconnecting said contacting elements, a hand grip member freely rotatable on and around said intermediate member opposed adjustable extensions telescoping within said intermediate member, said extensions having latch means for positioning said extensions in predetermined selected positions relative to the intermediate member during an exercise program, and one of said body contacting elements being positioned on each extension.
 2. The exercising device of claim 1 wherein the body contacting elements are rollers, said rollers being carried by yokes at the extremities of said extensions.
 3. The exercising device of claim 2 wherein said rollers are of soft yieldable material. 